Mauro Ranallo: Good evening and welcome to Warfare! Tonight, we are live from Moline, Illinois!
Corey Graves: Kicking things off tonight, Matt Sydal makes his return to EBWF as he goes one on one with Johnny Gargano!
Gargano made his way to the ring first, then Matt Sydal came out to a mixed reaction from the crowd. When both superstars were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Gargano hit Sydal with a series of kicks, then whipped him against the ropes. As Sydal hit the ropes, Gargano went for a leg lariat, but Sydal ducked out of the way, then hit Gargano with a dropkick. Both men got to their feet and Sydal hit a cradle suplex, hooking the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... kickout! Sydal pulled Gargano to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then sat him on the top turnbuckle. Sydal climbed the ropes, hitting Gargano with a Frankensteiner!
Mauro Ranallo: Impressive aerial skill from Matt Sydal!
Sydal hooked the leg once more and the referee counted – 1... 2... Gargano kicked out! Sydal stomped on Gargano several times, then pulled him to his feet and set him up for a neckbreaker. Gargano blocked it, then whipped Sydal against the ropes. As Sydal ran back towards him, Gargano hit a hip toss, then hit Sydal with a leg drop. Gargano turned Sydal over, and went for the Gargano Escape, but Sydal got to the ropes before he could lock it in. Gargano stepped back, allowing Sydal time to get to his feet, and Sydal used the ropes to pull himself up. When Sydal was back on his feet, Gargano charged towards him, going for a clothesline, but Sydal was ready for him and hit a superkick outta nowhere!
Corey Graves: That might have knocked Gargano out cold!
Gargano was laid out on the mat and Sydal climbed to the top rope once more, this time hitting the Shooting Sydal Press! He hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... 3!
Mauro Ranallo: It's over! An impressive victory for Matt Sydal!
Mauro Ranallo: A great victory for Matt Sydal on his return to EBWF!
Corey Graves: Up next, we've got women's action as Becky Lynch goes one on one with Liv Morgan!
Becky Lynch came to the ring first, followed by Liv Morgan. When both women were in the ring, the referee called for the bell. Morgan whipped Lynch against the ropes, then went for a clothesline, but Lynch ducked out of the way and got behind Morgan, hitting a German suplex. Both women got to their feet and Lynch hit Morgan with a series of kicks, and then took her down with a DDT. Lynch grabbed Morgan and went for the Dis-arm-her, but before she could lock it in, Morgan grabbed the ropes.
Mauro Ranallo: Good ring awareness there from Liv Morgan... she got to the ropes before Becky could fully apply the Dis-arm-her!
Lynch took a step back, along Morgan to get to her feet, then when Morgan got back up, Lynch whipped her against the ropes. As Morgan ran back towards her, Lynch went for a big boot, but Morgan ducked out of the way. Lynch turned around, and Morgan hit her with an enzuigiri! Lynch staggered backwards, and Morgan grabbed her, whipping her into the corner. Morgan then hit a running single-leg dropkick, before rolling Lynch up into a small package! The referee counted – 1... 2... Lynch kicked out!
Corey Graves: I thought Liv Morgan had it there!
Both women got to their feet and Morgan went for a roundhouse kick, but Lynch blocked it then hit Morgan with a European uppercut. Morgan stumbled backwards looking dazed, and Lynch took her down with a leg lariat. Lynch stomped on Morgan several times, then pulled her to her feet and hit a fisherman's neckbreaker! She hooked the leg and the referee counted – 1... 2... Morgan kicked out!
Mauro Ranallo: Becky Lynch is in control now... can she put Liv Morgan away?
Lynch pulled Morgan to her feet and set her up for an exploder suplex, but Morgan blocked it, countering with a jawbreaker. The two women locked up, and Lynch set Morgan up for a pumphandle slam, but Morgan countered again, this time hitting Lynch with a headscissors takedown. Both women got to their feet, and Morgan hit an STO, then hooked the leg. The referee counted – 1... 2... Lynch kicked out! Morgan pulled Lynch to her feet and her a series of punches, then set her up for the 201! She ran towards the corner... but Lynch broke free, then threw Morgan shoulder first into the ring post! Lynch then dragged Morgan away from the ropes, before taking her down to the mat and locking in the Dis-arm-her! Morgan tapped out and the referee called for the bell. As Lynch celebrated her victory, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan rushed to the ring. Lynch quickly exited the ring and headed up the ramp. Riott and Logan glared at her, then tended to Liv Morgan.
Corey Graves: Look at Becky running away from a fight... she's a coward!
Mauro Ranallo: She's not a coward, Corey, she just beat Liv Morgan and now the Riott Squad are out for revenge. Becky's just being smart... she might be tough but she can't fight off all three members of the Riott Squad single-handedly!
Warfare went to commercial as Lynch exited the stage.
The scene opened backstage where Charly Caruso was waiting just outside of a door with the EBWF logo displayed prominently. Before Charly could introduce herself, the door opened and Paul Heyman stepped into the hallway.
Charly Caruso: Mr. Heyman, I'm sorry... I was expecting...
Paul Heyman: Mr. Ikeda? No, Ms. Caruso, I'm afraid not. And is that anyway to greet an executive producer of this program?
Charly Caruso: Of course, ladies and gentlemen, we're joined now by EBWF's chief production manager, executive producer, Paul Heyman. Thank you for joining us.
Paul Heyman: That's better, Charly, thank you. It is true that Mr. Ikeda is elsewhere this evening, and I am told that when he does resurface he will have words and actions for CM Punk. In his stead, I am stepping in to announce that starting next week, live on Warfare, we will begin a tournament for the vacated Gateway Championship. The tournament will include anyone and everyone, and will culminate at our premiere event, Fanniversary.
Charly Caruso: This is good news for the growing EBWF Roster, Mr. Heyman. However, Aiden English has made it clear that he's willing to take on anyone because he believes he cannot be beaten.
Paul Heyman: Such is the folly of most World Champions, Charly. Aiden English knows he has a target on his back, and he will continue to fake confidence until someone pries that championship away from him. I look forward to finding out who will win the title that gives them an automatic world title opportunity. Thank you, Charly.
Heyman turned, leaving the frame.
Charly Caruso: Thank you, Mr. Heyman.
The scene faded as Warfare went to commercial.
As Warfare returned from commercial, "Dominance" hit and the crowd booed as Lio Rush stepped out onto the stage, accompanied by Hardcore Holly and Bobby Lashley.
Mauro Ranallo: Welcome back! Up next, it's time for our main event... Lio Rush goes one on one with the Breakout Champion, Jon Moxley!
Rush, Holly and Lashley made their way down the ramp, and Holly and Lashley stood at ringside as Rush entered the ring. "Indestructible" by Disturbed hit and the crowd cheered as Jon Moxley made his way to the ring. Moxley didn't seem worried by the presence of Hardcore Holly and Bobby Lashley at ringside. Upon entering the ring, Moxley handed the Breakout Title to the referee and charged towards Lio Rush, taking him down to the mat with a spear! Moxley then hit Rush with a series of punches against the ring mat as the referee abruptly called for the bell.
Corey Graves: Moxley attacked Lio Rush before the bell! He should be disqualified!
Mauro Ranallo: Come on, Corey, how many times has Lio Rush gotten involved in Hardcore Holly and Bobby Lashley's matches? I didn't hear you calling for a disqualification then. Moxley knows the odds are against him with Lashley and Holly at ringside, so he's trying to even the odds by taking the fight to Lio Rush!
Moxley got to his feet and stomped on Rush several times, then pulled Rush to his feet and threw him into the corner of the ring. Moxley hit Rush with a series of kicks to the midsection, then sat him on the top rope. Moxley climbed to the second rope and hit Rush with some more right hands, then hit a superplex! Moxley hooked the leg, and the referee counted – 1... 2... Rush kicked out! Moxley pulled Rush to his feet, and set him up for a powerbomb... but Rush countered with a hurricanrana! Rush then rolled out of the ring, giving himself a chance to recover. Moxley followed Rush to the outside, but Holly and Lashley stood in front of Rush, preventing Moxley from getting to him. Moxley clenched his fists, and looked as though he was about to fight both Holly and Lashley, but Lio Rush pushed past them and poked Moxley in the eye!
Mauro Ranallo: That was uncalled for! Lio Rush might have just blinded Jon Moxley!
Corey Graves: Well that's Rush's retaliation for Moxley's cheap shot earlier!
Moxley cried out in pain, and Rush threw him into the ring steps, then hit a low dropkick, slamming Moxley's head against the steel steps. Rush threw Moxley back into the ring, then climbed to the top rope and hit Moxley with a senton splash. Rush made the cover, and the referee counted – 1... 2... Moxley kicked out! Rush sat Moxley up, applying a sleeper hold, but Moxley fought out of it and both men got to their feet. Moxley and Rush exchanged right hands back and forth, but Moxley was able to overpower Rush, and he lifted Rush over his shoulder, hitting a back-to-belly piledriver. Moxley then ran against the ropes, going for a running leg drop, but as he hit the ropes, Holly grabbed his legs, tripping him up! Moxley fell to the mat and Hardcore Holly stepped back, protesting his innocence as the referee eyed him with suspicion. As Moxley got back to his feet, Lio Rush hit him with a dropkick, and Moxley fell through the ropes to the outside. Lio Rush then began arguing with the referee, and while he referee was distracted, Bobby Lashley hit Jon Moxley with a Spear! Lashley then threw Moxley back into the ring, and Rush went for the pin! The referee counted – 1... 2... Moxley kicked out just before the 3!
Mauro Ranallo: I told you Lashley and Holly would get involved, Corey! They should be banned from ringside!
Despite surviving the pinfall attempted, Moxley still appeared to be dazed from Lashley's Spear, and as Moxley got to his feet, Lio Rush took him down with a sling blade. Rush then climbed to the top rope and went for the Final Hour... but Moxley got his knees up and blocked it! Both men got to their feet, and Moxley hit Rush with a powerbomb, then hooked both legs. The referee counted – 1... 2... Rush kicked out!
Corey Graves: Impressive resilience from Lio Rush!
Mauro Ranallo: Are you kidding me?!
Moxley pulled Rush to his feet and whipped him into the corner, then ran at him and hit a corner clothesline. As Rush staggered out of the corner, Ambrose climbed to the top rope, then hit Rush with a double axe handle. Ambrose then grabbed Rush by the arm, applying the Fujiwara armbar! Rush cried out in pain, and looked like he was about to tap out when Hardcore Holly climbed onto the ring apron! The referee ran over to stop Holly entering the ring, and as he did so Bobby Lashley reached into the ring and grabbed Rush's leg, putting it on the bottom rope. Holly then dropped down from the ring apron as Lashley alerted the referee to the fact that Rush had his foot on the ropes, and the referee ordered Moxley to break the hold. Moxley looked frustrated, and he rolled out of the ring, grabbing a steel chair from ringside!
Mauro Ranallo: Moxley has had enough, and who can blame him?!
Corey Graves: If he uses that chair Mauro, he'll get himself disqualified!
Mauro Ranallo: I don't think he cares anymore!
Lashley and Holly tried to stop Moxley from re-entering the ring, but Moxley swung the chair at them and they instinctively moved back. Moxley then entered the ring with the steel chair, and Lio Rush dropped to his knees, begging for mercy. Moxley shook his head, and raised the chair up over his head... but the referee grabbed the chair, taking it off Moxley! The crowd booed as the referee took the chair out of the ring. While the ref had his back turned, Lio Rush hit Moxley with a low blow! Rush then rolled Moxley up, and as the referee began counting, Rush put his feet on the ropes! The referee didn’t see it and continued the count – 1... 2... 3!
Corey Graves: It's over! What a win for Lio Rush... he might have just earned himself a Breakout Title shot!
As the referee called for the bell, Lio Rush rolled out of the ring and celebrated with Holly and Lashley at ringside. Moxley looked furious. Rush continued to celebrate as Warfare went off the air.
